MULTI-MODE INTERFERENCE OPTICAL DEVICES

摘要

An optical device (1000) comprises a multi-mode interference (MMI) region (912), a single optical input (908), a single optical output (910), a first electrode (1010) associated with the MMI device and a second electrode (902) located or a face (914) of a semiconductor substrate (906) opposite another face on which the MMI region (912) is formed, the first electrode (1010) and the second electrode (902) being arranged to apply an electric field to the MMI region (912), thereby to cause absorption of light propagating through the MMI device. The device may be operated as an optical attenuator or an optical electro-absorption modulator (EAM). The MMI region allows the spreading of light coupled through the input (908) within the MMI region (912), thus decreasing the optical power absorption per unit area in the device and improving thereby the thermal dissipation.